|
|
|
Identity theft is a crime of opportunity. Along with guarding your email, checking your financial statements properly and ordering annual credit reports, the following tips will help reduce your chances of becoming a victim of ID theft:
- Be stingy with information. Never disclose your Social Security number, birth date or mother's maiden name unless you initiated the transaction, especially over the Internet.
- Do not reply to emails from a web site claiming to be your bank, credit union or mortgage broker. These are probably not legitimate, but are attempts to gather personal information.
- Opt-out of information-sharing at your financial institutions. Call the Credit Reporting Industry Pre-Screening Opt-Out Number to opt-out of pre-approved credit offers.
- Shred files and records containing Social Security numbers, account numbers, and birth dates with a cross-cut shredder before recycling.
|
